Stockton v. Parks & Wildlife Commission

O’QUINN, Justice.

Jess Stockton and Steve Stockton, residents of Willacy County, joined by ninety-nine citizens of Nueces, Willacy, and Cameron Counties, brought this lawsuit in November of 1977 against the Parks and Wildlife Commission for declaratory judgment to set aside a proclamation of the Commission, prohibiting fishing with trotlines in certain coastal waters on weekends, and to enjoin enforcement of the regulation. Plaintiffs belpw, now appellants, are commercial fishermen who utilize trotlines in catching red drum fish for the market.

The trial court upon hearing concluded that…